WA Over 50's - 2005 Match Reports

WA vs Vic Country - Monday 3rd October

Result: WA 4 - Vic Country 1 
On a day best suited for lazing on the beach, the Grey Ducks commenced their foray into the 2005 Australian Vets Championships with a convincing 4-1 victory over Victoria Country in 33 degrees heat. 

The WA side played with only 12 players as a number of players were carrying injuries and some had still to arrive from WA. Because of the heat the rotation of players proved to be crucial as most players were exhausted by the end of the game. 

Vic Country actually had the best of the early part of the game and WA goalie Max Viner was called upon to make some crucial saves during this time. However with about 12 minutes to go, Dudley Evans scored a fine goal when the ball was crossed from right to left inside. Shortly after Les Hayter made it 2-0 when he latched onto a tempered pass from Butch Worth and beat the goalie with a deft touch. Les had just interchanged and his first touch was the goal. 

WA went into half time with this 2-0 lead and it was obvious that the heat was starting to have an effect on players from both teams. 

The second half saw WA come out and continue to dominate. However, the Vic Country side turned the tide slightly when they scored against the run of play. The ball had hit the post and bounced into the back of Max Viners pads. 

Max was unsighted and the Victorian forward was able to tap the ball into the goal to make it 2-1. 

This spurred the WA team on and they now started to hold the ball more effectively. Their patience was rewarded when Rob Lawson was able to deflect a fine pass from Len Collier into the goal. Rob scored his second and the teams fourth goal shortly after when he eliminated a couple of players in a penalty corner situation and slammed the ball into the backboard. 

WA continued to hold the ball without scoring and so the score remained at 4-1, a good start for the Grey Ducks. 

WA vs Vic NSW2 - Tuesday 4th October

Result: WA 0 - NSW Swaggies 1 
The Grey Ducks suffered a shock defeat today when they were beaten 1-0 by NSW Swaggies at albion Park, a sand turf which was set aside as an alternate venue. 
However, some positives from today's game was that all players were able to spend some time on the pitch. 
Bruce Dick and Clive Poole played half a game each, while Butch Worth, who had been injured in the previous game and did not anticipate playing, was also able to play about 30 minutes without too much concern over his shoulder injury. 

The Grey Ducks had control over much of the game but could not buy a goal. 
While possession, penalty corners and circle penetrations were well in favour of the WA Team, they could not finish in the circle. Much of this was because of some brilliant goalkeeping by Willow, the NSW2 keeper. 
Although WA had much of the early play, it was NSW who scored first with a fine shot which beat WA keeper, Max Viner. 
This was one of the few times that Viner was actually involved in actually having to make a save. 
WA continued to press for the equaliser and went close when a shot from Bruce Dick hit the post.The rebound from this shot was another chance which went begging, the story of the game. 

In the post game team socialisation, Dennis Baker was named by the opposition as our best player while the WA votes for their best player, went to the consistent Eddie Bartnick. 

Following a rest day tomorrow, the Grey Ducks will play QLD on Thursday.

WA vs QLD1 - Thursday 6th October

Result: WA 1 - QLD1 0 
The Grey Ducks put themselves back on track for a finals tilt when they defeated a dogged QLD1, 1-0. 

Although not a big score, the Grey Ducks dominated the game but once again failed to find the net, even though many chances were created. This would be a worrying sign for Coach, Rob Lawson. 

Once again all players were fit enough to take the field, and with good rotations, all were able to contribute to the play. An unlucky Clive Poole rolled his ankle late in the second half and this looks serious enough to keep him out of action for at least a couple of games. 

The Grey Ducks moved the ball around well today, making good use of the ball around the back through fullbacks Hudson and Ryan, while ensuring that centre half backs, Bruce Dick and Butch Worth also saw lots of the ball and thus were able to control the centre. 

With 10 minutes to go the score was still 0-0 and many thought the WA dominated game was going to fizzle out to a draw. However, a well taken penalty corner, one of many alternatives, saw Rob Lawson smash the ball high into the net to make the score 1-0. That was where the score remained. It could have finished a little higher if the umpire had played some advantage as Dennis Baker hit the ball into the net only to have the umpire blow the whistle early and award a penalty corner. Eddie Bartnick was also unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty stoke when he was taken down in the act of shooting. 

Butch Worth was awarded best player by the opposition while Bruce Dick secured his team mates votes for best player. 

Our esteemed Manager, Len Collier received his second yellow card today and is in danger of missing a game if he loses any more points. We think the problem lies with the fact that the unpires cannot understand him. 

Our next game is against WA Country tomorrow at 5.30 pm.

WA vs WA Country - Friday 7th October

Result: WA 10 - WAC 0 
The Grey Ducks finally found some goalscoring touch when they defeated their Country cousins 10-0. 

The Grey Ducks started quickly as they knew they had to get some goals on the board to boost their goal difference. 
The first one came within the first minute when Captain Coach Rob Lawson tapped in a close-in reverse stick goal. 
This was to be the first of 6 for Lawson after he had converted a penalty stroke and numerous penalty corners. 
Other goals were scored by Dennis Baker (2) and Dudley Evans (2). 

Goalkeeper Max Viner had little to do in this game but made a fantastic glove save to prevent a certain Country goal. 
At half time the score was 4-0. 

With a stirring half time talk from Lawson the team came out firing and proceeded to punish WA Country with great possession and precision passing. 

Six goals were scored in the second half, the final one by Dennis Baker with only one second left on the clock. 
This final goal was an indication that the game is not over until the final whistle and great vision from Dudley Evans found Baker unmarked in the circle to finish it off with a goal. 

Dennis Baker was awarded our best player from the opposition while Rob Lawson understandably won his team mates award as best player.

WA vs VIC - Saturday 8th October

Result: WA 3 - VIC 2 
The Grey Ducks followed on their good form from the previous game when they defeated the highly fancied and undefeated Victorian Team at Albion Park today. 

The Victorians would have been cocky going into this game as they had been winning convincingly, including an 8-1 win over QLD, whom the Grey Ducks had only beaten 1-0. 
However, the Grey Ducks had other ideas and took it to the Victorians from the opening whistle. 

Maurice Giles had arrived from Perth this morning and added a bit more bite to our forward line as well as being in a position to mark out David Peebles, the stand -out Victorian player. 

The Victorians scored first in this game, somewhat against the run of play, when their right wing got a slight touch to the ball to deflect it past WA goalkeeper, Max Viner. 
The Grey Ducks were quick to reply with Rob Lawson and Maurice Giles combining to score an easy tap in goal from Giles. 
Lawson then scored WA's second shortly after with a well placed penalty corner. 

Half time score was 2-1 to WA. 

In the second half WA started to dominate the game but in the process of pushing too many players forward left themselves open to the counter attack and the Victorians made the most of it to score the equalising goal. 
This stung the Grey Ducks into action and they commenced to totally dominate the latter part of the game. 
They were rewarded when on their new penalty corner alternative, Maurice Giles was able to get a shot on goal which was tipped in by Pete Fogels. 
The Grey Ducks were then able to hold out the Victorians to win 3-2. 

Bruce (Goose) Dick was awarded best player by our opposition while Geoff Hudson was awarded his peers votes. 

Tomorrow, Sunday, is a rest day and the top 3 from each pool will then play each other to decide final standings.

WA vs NSW - Monday 10th October

Result: WA 1 - NSW 3 
The Grey Ducks entered into the second round of competition when the top 3 from pools A and B combined to form a new pool pool. The Grey Ducks had finished second in their pool and now had to play the top 3 from the other pool. These teams were NSW 1, ACT and Tasmania. 

The WA side drew the strong NSW team first up. 
In the opening 10 minutes of the game WA pressed strongly and were unlucky not to score when a number of forays into the circle resulted in several good chances going begging. 
Against good sides you need to take these chances and thus it was probably no great surprise when NSW capitalised on a defensive error by the WA defence to score their first goal. 

The NSW team continue to pressure the WA defence, particularly through their speedy right inside, Peter Sweeney. 
WA Goalie Max Viner was called upon to make many saves, keeping the Ducks in the game. 
However, with a brilliant buildup starting from the defence and involving a number of players who put together a series of untouched passes, WA equalised through a Dennis Baker goal in the dying seconds of the half. 
Half time score 1-1. 

In the second half NSW came out with a determined plan to attack down the right hand side. 
This worked effectively and the WA defence had to soak up lots of pressure. This pressure was compounded when Maurice Giles had to leave the field with a hamstring injury, limiting WA to only one sub. NSW continued to push and were rewarded when they scrambled in a goal after a series of shots and saves. 

The Grey Ducks continued to push for the equaliser and were almost rewarded when Butch Worth, on a penalty corner variation, had his flick at goal saved on the line. 

NSW scored another goal to make it 3-1 in the dying minutes when Sweeney once again was instrumental in beating a number of defenders and set up a tap in goal. 

Max Viner was named best player by the opposition and his peers. A well deserved effort. 

The Grey Ducks will now play ACT and will need to gain some points as Tasmania had beaten Victoria in one of the pool games.

WA vs ACT - Tuesday 11th October

Result: WA 1 - ACT 6 
The Grey Ducks suffered a humiliating 6-1 defeat at the hands of ACT yesterday. 

The Ducks went into the game with only one sub, but with 3 players on one leg. 
The end of tournament injury attrition was taking its toll. 
However,this was not entirely the problem. The first half was competitive with the Ducks once again creating opportunities, but failing to finish. 
By half time, the score was 2-1, the ducks having scored a penalty corner through Rob Lawson. 

In the second half, ACT came to realise that a number of the WA players could not chase and so gained control of the mid field. With controlled passing and a patient buildup, they applied constant pressure to the WA defence and systematically put the ball in the net on 4 occasions. 
WA goalie Max Viner was often left in a two on one situation with little chance of stopping the shot. 

It was a disappointing result for the WA team as it now means that the game against Tasmania is a must win situation if they are to make the top 4. 
The return of Eddie Bartnik to the line up today will be a big boost to the team. 
If the team does make the 4 the injury level will be a determining factor as to how far we progress as against the top sides we need not only a full strength team on the field, but also fit and adequate interchange players. 

Butch Worth was named best player by the opposition, while Doug Philp was given the nod from his peers.

WA vs TAS - Wednesday 12th October

Result: WA 6 - TAS 0 
Who would be a betting man? As Geoff Hudson said "The Grey Ducks would be a bookmakers nightmare". 
Losing 6-1 one day to ACT and then defeating finals aspirants Tasmania 6-0 the following day.

It was a game the Grey Ducks had to win by at least 4 goals to make the finals. 
They went into the game with an almost fully fit contingent but played a much better brand of hockey than they had been playing on previous days. 
They were first to the ball, they contained the Tasmanian midfield and put away their chances.

WA applied pressure right from the first whistle, but missed a number of early goal attempts. 
However, after a good build-up and movement around the back of the defence, a series of shots saved bounced to Rob Lawson who slammed the ball into the net. 

Dudley Evans capped off a brilliant passage of play which started from Bruce Dick and finished with Evans hitting a fine goal. A tap in off a penalty corner late in the half by Clive Poole saw WA go into the half time break 3-0 up.

In the second half WA continued to push for more goals and were rewarded when Rob Lawson got a fine deflection in the circle to score his second goal. 
The Ducks then seemed to turn off for a while and there was a period of even mid-field play by both teams. 
However, in the last 10 minutes, further goals from Rob Lawson and Dennis Baker sealed the score at 6-0. 
This put the Grey Ducks into the top 4 to contest the finals with NSW 1 and 2 and ACT. 
In the semi final the Grey Ducks will play ACT once again and it will need to be a big turn around to secure a win and progress to the finals.

Rob Lawson was named best player by the opposition, while Clive Poole secured the votes from his team mates. 

Semi-final: WA vs ACT - Friday 14th October

Result: WA 1 - ACT 0 
What a turnaround. The Grey Ducks today won their way into the grand final when they defeated ACT 1-0 in today's semi-final. 
In their round game last Tuesday the ACT side had convincingly defeated the WA side 6-1 so would have gone into today's game full of confidence. 
Obviously the WA team had other ideas. 
The Ducks will now play NSW 1 in the final tomorrow. NSW 1 had defeated NSW 2 in the other semi-final, 3-0. 

The Grey Ducks went into today's game determined to shut out the ACT key players. 
In doing so they were also hoping to then free other players to go forward, a similar strategy they had used successfully against Tasmania. 
This tactic appeared to work well and it was in their second penalty corner that Maurice Giles hammered home the only goal of the game.

It was a very evenly contested game with both sides creating opportunities and both goalies being called upon to make some vital saves. 
The Grey Ducks had all players contributing to their win, all doing the running and the necessary work required to win. A great team effort.

Let's hope they have something left in the tank for tomorrows final.

Grand Final: WA vs NSW - Saturday 15th October

Result: WA 9 - NSW 8 
We are the Champions. 

The Grey Ducks are now the Australian O/50's champions having defeated NSW 1 on penalty strokes in a close encounter today. 

The NSW team would have gone into this game as firm favourites having beaten WA 3-1 in their round game and going through the tournament undefeated. However, the WA boys had other ideas and worked on a game plan which best suited their playing personnel. 
This was rewarded when a goal shot from Dennis Baker was deflected into the goal by Clive Poole. WA 1-0. 
This stung the NSW team into action and they stepped up the pace through their strong mid field. 
The dangerous Peter Sweeney was left unmarked in the circle and he scored with a high shot past goalie Max Viner. Half time 1-1.

In the second half both teams struggled for ascendency. 
Chances were created at both ends of the field with neither team being able to score the winning goal. 
The best opportunity went to Dudley Evans when he just missed the goal with a strong shot after a great build-up through the left hand side. 
At the end of the second half the score was still 1-1 and as there was no extra time the game was to be decided on penalty stokes.

Hudson, Dick, Worth, Lawson and Poole were to take the 5 WA strokes. 
At the conclusion of the first 5 strokes the score was 4-4, with Worth having missed his stroke and one of the NSW players having missed one. 
In the second set Rob Lawson had his stroke saved while the other 4 scored. 
NSW were denied the tournament when WA Goalie Max Viner was able to save 2 of the NSW second set of 5.

So WA are now Australian Champions. Not a bad effort when so many people had written them off early in the tournament when they had played a couple of very ordinary games.

Congratulations need to go to Coach Rob Lawson for his efforts in getting the team over the line.